1/31 So I went to the shelter today...

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Tonya and Tiki

Tonya and Tiki

Member Since 2011
Just to (ahem) look. :rolleyes:

And was chosen. https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/31213911/

He jumped into my arms, snuggled into my neck, kissed my cheek, purred and well I was toast. I am feeling somewhat guilty that it's only been a week since Tiki left me but I couldn't leave this little guy at that God awful place. And the kitty sized hole in my house (and soul) has been pretty unbearable. He was given up cuz of allergies in his previous family. That must have been very difficult for them as this might be the sweetest cat I have ever met. They say he is 6 months or so old (looks older than that to me). Before I can bring him home he has to be neutered so I will pick him up from the vet on Monday. I have no idea how he is with dogs (Bodhi will be more afraid of him I bet) so I have all my fingers and toes crossed that that will go well.

I have never brought a kitty home from a shelter before. He's been there for about a month. Any advice?

I'm nervous.
 
Congratulations!

Start him off in 1 safe room to get his bearings, learn his new location, feel safe, and slowly become acclimated to the smell of droolers. that way, he won't get overwhelmed by all the changes.
 
He sounds adorable ! I got Squiggles from the RSPCA ( an animal charity ) when she was 4. I echo all the advice given so far. She's allowed to go outside, but I kept her in for the first 2 and a half weeks that I had her.
 
Wonderful news, yay for saving a shelter kitty and one with allergies who would probably have a hard time being adopted, you have made my day and I'm sure Tiki would be cheering you on.
 
Congrats Tonya!

I have found that when adopting a pet, the pet will often pick you! That happened with me and both my critters: Moby and our crazy dog, Ginger. We went in with a picture of what we wanted and came out with something that resembled nothing what we had in mind! But that's ok! I'm a firm believer that we always get the pet we NEED. :)

Good luck with your new kitty!
 
Congratulations !!

I wish I could see the picture, but it looks like they already took him off of PetFinder. I can't wait to see pictures of your new boy :)
 
I am so excited for you, Tonya!! Congratulations!
You have so much love to give ~ he's one lucky furkiddo!
:cat:

With my new guy, I followed the same advice: kept him in the spare room with all of his necessities, borrowed a baby gate from a friend, and gradually let him smell/see my other cat and dog. He was in there for about a week until he officially met the others, and he is still able to go to 'his' room as a safe place ~ we keep him in there when we are at work and can't supervise him (mainly to keep him and my houseplants safe).

I can't wait for updates about your kitty!
:D:D:D
 
Congratulations! Shelter kitties are the best. I got Missy from there and did all the things that other people have mentioned. I put her in one room with the door closed for a few days and then attached a screen door to it so Missy and Simon could see each other but on opposite sides of the screen door. I fed them both on either side so they made a correlation between eating food and seeing each other. It must have worked because they are good friends now (except when Missy tries to steal Simon's food!)
 
Oh my goodness, look at those cheeks! What a sweetie!

Don't feel guilty. Tiki would want another kitty to enjoy the love and compassion that he was so fortunate to have with you.

Here's wishing you and Rhythm many happy memories together!
 
I dont have any advice about new kitties, just want to say congratulations on your newest family member!:cat: I think Tiki would approve, so dont feel guilty. What a handsome boy he is and Im sure he is as happy to have found you as you are of him. You must share pictures along the way too. Are you keeping his name Rhythm?
 
Woohoo!!! This condo made me do a little happy dance. :) Neko was a "let's just take a look". She too had been returned for allergies. Civie Theo had been at the shelter 6 years with 3 failed adoptions. :rolleyes:

First thing, ask the shelter if you can do a scent exchange - a good shelter should let you do that. Get a towel or something the dogs have been lying on that has their scent. Or get a small towel and rub it well on them, especially around the head/cheeks. Put your name on it, and take it to the shelter to put it in the new little guys kennel. Take something the kitty has been sleeping on (or a second towel you bring and rub all over him), and take that home for the dogs to get used to his smell.

When you get him home, let him have his own space as the others suggested. If he's just has his neuter he'll need a quiet place anyway. Continue doing the scent exchange. The length of time the kitty needs to be in the room by themselves will depend entirely on them. Neko wanted out right away to explore. Theo needed 3 months, and he also needed a room with no place to hide (the reason for the failed adoptions). The first time the new one is let out of his room, have the droolers elsewhere so he can explore without them around. Let the dogs into his room so they can smell without him around. Everyone has given great tips too. Food is a great motivator for making friends.

And more pictures when you can please!
 
No I am not really a fan of his name Rhythm (and I would need a spell checker every time I had to spell it, and well it's just very kitty like). I've been thinking about possible names and have come up with Boo or Jinx. I like the idea of coming home and getting to say Hi Jinx (as in high jinx! lol) I was a huge fan of Sons of Anarchy and like the names Opie or Jax. But I also like the idea of naming him Toast as I was absolute toast when he kissed my cheek. I always called Sasha "Boo" as a nick name and Tiki's nick name was Toaster Toes so those names harken back to my furbabies of yesteryear. Might just not call him anything until he gets here and I can see what he is really like. It took a couple of weeks for me to land on Tiki's name. I guess there's no rush.
 
Congratulations! Tonya, how wonderful that you have been adopted! I firmly believe that Tiki told him to pick you. I think Tiki probably did some advance work and knew just which kitty would be the purrfect one for you and your little family. I echo all the advice you've been given. Also, don't forget to give your drooler lots of attention in the first few days - we have a tendency to give more to the new arrival - that will keep doggie from getting jealous right away. I wish you many, many happy years together.
 
Congratulations! He is a very handsome young fellow. I agree he looks older. Kitty shaped holes need to be filled and he knew he was just the right size!I was just looking when Tess chose me too!
 
Congratulations!!! I'm so glad you've been picked!!! And a sweeeeettt little boy (love the name "Jax"). This is great news, Tonya. You have so much love in your heart that I know Tiki would want you to share it with another kitty who needs a forever home!

Exciting!!!
 
Wonderful news....congratulations! That kitty sure knew what he was doing when you walked in the door...he sounds amazing. I bet you can't wait until Monday!!
 
What a very handsome little black boy!!! Congratulations, and no, I don't think it was too early after Tiki. What I think is.. Tiki had a "paw" in your going to the shelter to be introduced to Rhythm. I think you 2 were meant to be together. She knew you were lonely, and she also knows how well you have taken care of her during her time with you, and I think she steered you towards him. Thank you for taking him into your warm, loving, caring home. We all look forward to updates. :D :bighug:
 
I had a black kitten that I named Jinx (he passed away a few months later due to kidney failure), but I happen to LOVE the name Jinx :)

As for advice, I think that for Skooter, he had been in the shelter about a month and I don't think he knew what to do with all the space once he got to my house. He spent the first few nights walking around mewing and just would not let me comfort him. But after a few nights he settled right in....

When I introduced Jinx a few years later, Jinx was kept in one room and worked on getting them used to each other. The other thing I found helpful was to have a blanket for each of them and I would go snuggle with Jinx with his blanket and then find Skooter and snuggle with him in Jinx's blanket and vice versa, so they would get used to each other.

Can't wait to see pictures! I am positive that Tiki was headbutting you in that direction and totally wanted the two of you to find each other...
 
I definitely agree about the safe room. When Sami became a part of our family we put her in our spare bedroom for a couple of days for her to get comfortable with the house. Then after a day or so we put up a tall safety gate in the doorway so that she could interact with the other cats and still feel safe. I think it was by the second night she had jumped the safety gate and was roaming the house. I guess that was our sign that she was comfortable.

Congratulations on your new fur baby! It is always so hard to lose a loved pet, but sometimes the suffering is lessened when you can share your love with a new one that needs your care.
 
Hi Tonya, This is wonderful news! What a lucky kitty to have landed with you! I'm sure that Tiki had a paw in it!

Stu was a "just- going- to- look" kitty who had been returned twice to the shelter. He saw us in the viewing room and immediately climbed up to the kitty walk in the "habitat" room, walked all around the perimeter, jumped down and made eye contact. When we got him home (this was just after 9/11 and transportation in NYC was awful) he jumped up on the piano, took Alice's toy mouse that was next to the box containing her ashes, and began to play with it. We considered this a passing of the torch.

According to t.s. eliot ("Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats"), every cat has many names, but one is known only to him.

Hugs and scritches,

Ella & Rusty
 
Congratulation on being chosen Tonya! Shelter kitties are awesome and what a handsome boy too. Don't worry about the timing. It was meant to be. One week after I lost Noel, my kitty of nearly 20 years, Diesel showed up tiny and scared. I still think Noel had something to with it. Diesel spent the first year as a shop cat and when he came home to live with the boys a large breed dog crate was a big help. I made a hammock for him to sleep in and on the ground floor he had a litter box and food/water. We gradually gave him freedom as Lobster and Sarge got used to him being around. At first he was in the cage unless they were confined to downstairs, then we let them briefly mingle, then Diesel got to be out as long as we were home but was crated at night. Eventually he was 100% "free range" and the cage went away. It took 6 months but it was a relatively drama free transition. Feliway diffusers were a big help too.

It must be so hard to wait but hang in there it's almost Monday!!
 
Concatulations to you and the new boy!
I have to agree with everyone, that Tiki had a paw in this unexpected adoption. You two were destined for each other.
Shelter and rescue cats are the absolute best! :cat:
 
Oh Yay! I'm glad you have been adopted. I was just thinking about you yesterday morning wondering how you were doing.
He looks like a black cat I had when I was little.... ours was named Pharoah.

All our kitties have been shelter cats. Even Shadow altho' she was a kitten.
 
Gabby was a shelter kitty, as well. Everyone's already mentioned the best ways to introduce a new member of the family. I hope you and your new kitty find a great deal of happiness together and Tiki sends you a message indicating her approval.
 
Thanks for all the good advice everyone. It just dawned on me I don't know how to feed a regular cat anymore! The shelter said they were giving him Science Diet, the dry kind, and immediately my thoughts were, "Oh no, no no." LOL

I have left over fancy feast classics. Hope he likes it.
 
Our local SPCA signed a deal with Science Diet who now provides all their food and in return the SPCA sends kitties home with a bag of dry. :rolleyes: Your kitty will be so lucky to go home with someone who knows about the evils of dry.
 
Congratulations Tonya!! He's a sweetie pie!! :bighug:
Best wishes for many many happy healthy years together!!
 
So I spent most of the Super Bowl cleaning and preparing for Kitty. Isn't this "nesting" thing what expectant mother's do? I did finally settle down to watch the last 5 minutes of the game. Holy Hannah what an ending! And I don't even LIKE football. But when my home team makes it all the way to the finish line I sorta pay attention.
 
Don't forget to change him from the dry food over a few days so he doesn't get tummy upset. Too cute with the nesting :)
 
"Just to look..." Surrrreeeeee :p

If I could count how many times I've heard that -- and every time the person comes home with a new four-legged furever friend!

Tiki would be SO excited for you, so don't feel guilty at all!!!

~Suzanne
 
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